After a quick 2 game road trip, the Blazers are matched up with a divisional opponent for the 3rd straight game. It's the Jazz again, this time at home. The Jazz rebounded from their rare home court loss to the Blazers on Monday, with a win last night in Los Angeles against the Clippers. They're now in Portland to play their second game in as many days.

The good news is that Marcus Camby returns tonight after rolling his ankle against the Jazz on Monday. The bad news is that Joel Pryzbilla and Brandon Roy are still on the bench.

STRATEGY
For the last game against the Jazz I wrote, “Throw the Jazz of their game by taking away Williams' ability to create for the team.” That ended up working, as Deron had 31 points, but only 6 assists. Sure, he was responsible for 40+ points, but the majority of those points came late after the game had already been decided. Look for the Blazers to turn Williams into a scorer once again.

LET'S GET RICH
To date: 12-12-1.
Blazers +1. Big win at home tonight.

TRADE ME
Rudy Fernandez

NUMBER OF BACK TO BACKS THIS SEASON (IN SETS)
9

NEXT 5
vs Houston
@ Dallas
@ Houston
@ Minnesota
vs Miami

BOTTOM LINE
The Blazers will need Wes Matthews and Dante Cunningham to have much better outings tonight if the Blazers are going to beat the Jazz two times in a row.

With Portlands strugleing in the 4th they would improve a great deal with Brandon Roy back. Roy was their closer late in the clutch. LA has stepped up but he is not the finsher that brandon is. When we get him back whenever that might be we will be a much better team and will not lose 4th quarter leads.